COE hosts workshop on op-ed writing with AJC editor Maureen Downey
Writer:
Julie Sartor,
jsartor@uga.edu
Published in Dean's Office, Faculty / Staff, Speaking Out
Atlanta Journal Constitution editor Maureen Downey (C) talks with COE professors JoBeth Allen (L) and Gayle Andrews during a March 2 Op-Ed Writing Workshop. Photo by Julie Sartor.
The Office of Outreach and Engagement and the Office of College Advancement hosted the Op-Ed Writing Workshop with Maureen Downey, a longtime reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, on March 2.
Topics and strategies discussed included how to write, in a lay reader-friendly style, a 500–600 word op-ed essay; how to understand and write within the op-ed genre; how to write so that your ideas and arguments are compelling, contribute to the conversation, and are helpful to your audience; how to know which venues are available and how to work with editors to place your work; and how to understand the op-ed readership and how to craft pieces in relation to broad lay audiences.
Faculty members JoBeth Allen, Stephanie Jones, Peter Smagorinsky led break-out sessions to initiate and facilitate the process of creating an op-ed piece. About 20 faculty members attended.